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While on holiday recently in the Diani Beach resort in Kenya I decided to try a short safari to the Masai Mara so that I could experience this for myself having booked many clients in the past.

It was a short journey from the hotel to Ukundu airport and our light aircraft departed at 8.30am, and we arrived at the 'Mara' airstrip about two hours later. The one thing that sticks in my memory as were landing was the strangeness of the landscape, everywhere looked a buttery beige colour and was like nothing I had seen before.

A wonderful welcome was waiting for us at the Governors Camp; we jumped into the Land Rovers and were given cold refreshing towels before being shown to our tents, which were set around a river. Our accommodation was very large and spacious with a double bed and a separate bathroom.

We quickly unpacked and had a short rest before lunch was served from a huge outside buffet; we sat at tables placed beneath some shady trees, the meal was delicious.

At 3.30pm we piled into our designated Land Rovers and headed off for our first game drive which was so exciting. Our Ranger pointed out the animals and was so knowledgeable about everything, he instinctively knew where to find each type of animal. We saw a wide range of animals almost immediately including cheetah, zebra, giraffe, elephant and I couldn't believe how close the vehicle got to them.

When we got back to the camp it was dusk and the lamps had been lit for us in the tent. We had a quick shower and changed for the evening meal which was served in a huge tent by candlelight.

After dinner all the guests sat round a campfire and talked about their experiences during the day. As we sat hippos were grazing on the grass near us and an elephant appeared in the river and bathed by moonlight, we could also see crocodiles in the river.

We then retired to our tent; it all seemed so strange lying in the tent listening to the strange noises from the wildlife surrounding us.

Coffee and biscuits were brought to the tent at 5.45am and we then left on our next game drive. The temperature was perfect and as we left we saw a hot air balloon take off into the morning mist. Again we saw many animals including a pride of lions that were making short work of their recent kill.

At 9.30am our Ranger stopped for breakfast, he laid out a rug on the grass and we all sat down to eat the prepared picnic. We then carried on with our game drive and after arriving back at the Camp we sat on the deck by the river watching the hippos and crocodiles.

After lunch we sadly made our way back to the airstrip for our flight back to Ukundu where we would finish our fantastic holiday in Kenya.

This holiday was a really magical experience and one I will never forget.